(SPRINGFIELD) Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that Illinois' unemployment rate rose to 4.9% in May, the third-lowest in the nation. With the state adding just 43,900 new jobs in May compared to a year earlier, Illinois ranked 44th among all states in nonfarm job growth, up just seven-tenths of a percentage point (0.7%).

(SPRINGFIELD) Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill earlier this week requiring the state's taxpayers to pay off the medical debt of up to 300,000 Illinois residents. To qualify, individuals' household income must be below 400% of the federal poverty level or have medical debt equal to 5% or more of their household income. Opponents of the plan have said the state cannot afford taxpayer money for a nonprofit to pay off certain medical debt. The governor also signed a bill earlier this week that excludes medical debt from being reported on credit reports.

(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Public Health has announced an expanded list of high-risk ZIP code areas, increasing mandatory lead exposure testing of children living in those areas. This year, 148 new ZIP codes representing parts of at least 60 Illinois counties were added to the list, bringing the total number of high-risk ZIP code areas to nearly 1,200. Under Illinois law, any child living in a high-risk ZIP code area must automatically be tested for lead at 12, 24 and 36 months of age. The list of newly added ZIP codes includes some from counties in the southern part of the state: Richland, Crawford, Cumberland, Coles, Marion, Effingham, Shelby, Jefferson and White. For more information, visit the dph.illinois.gov website.

(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois State Police and hundreds of local law enforcement agencies are on increased duty for the remainder of the weekend to search for drivers under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs or violating traffic laws. With various roadside safety checkpoints, intensive patrols and more, authorities are looking for drivers under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, those speeding, not wearing seat belts or texting while driving.